Many U.S. manufacturers are unaware of the details of the newest Restriction of Hazardous Substances (RoHS) directive, known as RoHS2, according to environmental consultancy Environ. The directive will become EU law in June with member state regulations taking effect 18 months later. It will apply to products dependent on electrical power to fulfill at least one intended function – in contrast to the current RoHS, which applies to products dependent on electrical power for their primary function. Another major change is that distributors will have legal responsibilities under RoHS for the first time, Environ says. And it says that many companies do not know that RoHS2 requires manufacturers’ CE Marking technical documentation to include test reports wherever applicable.
Gary Nevison, head of legislation at Premier Farnell, provides this review of the likely impact on the revised regulations on manufacturers, importers and distributors. More information about the industry-led substance declarations web database for RoHS, REACH, batteries and packaging compliance can be found at BOMcheck.net.
Europeans’ generation of e-waste is far outstripping collection and recycling capacity, EBN Online reports. By the European Commission’s own estimates, only one-third of such waste is appropriately collected and treated, despite the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) directive, which was supposed to create programs to allow consumers to return all e-waste free of charge. Some e-waste may still be going to landfills and to sub-standard treatment sites, and illegal trade of e-waste beyond EU borders continues, the EC says.
A health advocacy group has filed more than 200 violation notices targeting the dietary supplement sector under California’s Proposition 65, according to food development news site NutraIngredients-USA. The Environmental Research Center and its director, Chris Heptinstall, have pledged to continue targeting the sector with notices alleging that manufacturers have not notified customers of the presence of lead, arsenic and other carcinogens, as required under Prop 65. Prop 65, which was introduced in 1986, has proved controversial because many of the covered substances are naturally present at trace levels and do not necessarily threaten human health, NutraIngredients-USA said.
MSDSonline has launched a hazardous chemical inventory management platform. The software is designed to help manage the full lifecycle of substances, providing greater control over their chemical footprint and adhering to compliance and reporting requirements at the state, federal and international level. Components include material safety data sheet management with options for injury and illness record-keeping, on-demand workplace training and compliance education tool kits.
Teklynx International has launched Teklynx Central GHS, a labeling application designed to help companies meet Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) requirements. The software provides detailed, auditable tracking of labeling activity at any location, with secure sign-in and the ability to manage user privileges from a central location, Teklynx says.
